,,ii #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #acjf ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #af 7legislative day1 ,july #ae71 #bjac ,mr4 ,reed 7for himself1 ,mr4 ,kirk1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 ,mr4 ,udall of ,new ,mexico1 ,mr4 ,whitehouse1 and ,mr4 ,durbin7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife in order to improve environmental literacy to better prepare students for postsecondary education and careers1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,no ,child ,left ,inside ,act of #bjac4 7b7 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title2 table of contents4 ,sec4 #b4 ,findings4 ,sec4 #c4 ,references4 ,sec4 #d4 ,authorization of appropriations4 ,,title ,i--,environmental literacy ,sec4 #aja4 ,environmental literacy4 ,,title ,,ii--,promoting environmental literacy in education programs ,sec4 #bja4 ,amendments to title ,,ii1 part ,b4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,amendments to title ,,iv1 part ,b4 ,,title ,,iii--,national activities to enhance environmental literacy ,sec4 #cja4 ,availability of other environmental literacy information4 ,sec4 #cjb4 ,federal interagency coordination on environmental literacy4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that3 7#a7 ,children and young adults are increasingly disconnected from the natural world around them1 spending less time outside playing1 exploring1 and learning4 7#b7 ,play and learning in nature is important to the intellectual1 social1 and physical development of youth4 7#c7 ,environmental education1 as part of the formal prekindergarten through grade #ab school curriculum1 provides opportunities for youth to get outside and learn about the natural world1 has positive impacts on student achievement in all subjects and especially in science1 reading1 mathematics1 and social studies1 and improves critical thinking skills1 enthusiasm for learning1 stewardship1 and healthy lifestyles4 7#d7 ,by many indicators1 the ,united ,states is falling behind other nations in preparing students with the educational tools necessary to compete for the growing opportunities in the sciences1 including environmental1 natural resource1 and energy-related careers4 7#e7 ,reports by boards of the ,national ,science ,foundation1 the ,national ,environmental ,education ,advisory ,council1 and the ,national ,council for ,science and the ,environment1 among others1 have called for a systemic approach to environmental education in the formal education system to improve the environmental literacy of youth and better prepare students for college and the #bast century workforce4 7#f7 ,forty-eight ,states have developed1 or are in the process of developing1 environmental literacy plans to effectively integrate environmental education into the prekindergarten through grade #ab curriculum and ensure that students graduate from high school environmentally literate4 ,at the same time1 most states are aligning curricula with the ,common ,core ,state ,standards4 7#g7 ,support from the ,department of ,education is needed to help ,state and local educational agencies1 and the partners of such agencies1 implement environmental literacy plans and advance ,state curriculum frameworks for environmental and natural resource education that meets new ,state academic content and student achievement standards and aligns with the ,next ,generation ,science ,framework4 7#h7 ,federal science and natural resource agencies have important resources1 including ,federal lands and laboratories1 content experts1 data1 and programs that can inform and support ,state and local environmental literacy policies and programming4 #c4 ,references ,except as otherwise specifically provided1 whenever in this ,act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an amendment to1 or a repeal of1 a section or other provision1 the reference shall be considered to be made to a section or other provision of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcja et seq474 #d4 ,authorization of appropriations 7a7 ,authorization ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out subpart #bb of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife1 such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year #bjad and each of the #d succeeding fiscal years4 7b7 ,distribution ,with respect to any amount appropriated under subsection 7a7 for a fiscal year-- 7#a7 not less than #gj percent of such amount shall be used to carry out section #efbb of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife for such fiscal year2 and 7#b7 not more than #cj percent of such amount shall be used to carry out section #efbc of such ,act for such fiscal year4 ,i ,environmental ,literacy #aja4 ,environmental ,literacy ,part ,d of title ,v 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gbja et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bb ,environmental ,literacy #efba4 ,definitions ,in this subpart3 7#a7 ,eligible partnership ,the term eligible partnership means a partnership that includes a local educational agency and not less than #a of the following partners3 7,a7 ,a teacher preparation program at an institution of higher education4 7,b7 ,the environmental or life sciences department of an institution of higher education4 7,c7 ,another local educational agency1 a public charter school1 a public elementary school or secondary school1 or a consortium of such schools4 7,d7 ,a ,federal1 ,state1 regional1 or local environmental or natural resource management agency1 or parks and recreation department1 that has demonstrated effectiveness1 expertise1 and experience in the field of environmental literacy1 including the professional development of teachers4 7,e7 ,a nonprofit organization that has demonstrated effectiveness1 expertise1 and experience in the field of environmental literacy1 including the professional development of teachers4 7#b7 ,environmental literacy ,the term environmental literacy means a fundamental understanding of ecological principles1 the systems of the natural world1 and the relationships and interactions between natural and man-made environments4 7#c7 ,environmental literacy plan ,the term environmental literacy plan means a plan developed1 approved1 or sponsored by the ,state educational agency in consultation with ,state environmental agencies1 ,state environmental education associations1 and ,state natural resource agencies1 and with input from the public1 that3 7,a7 ,prepares students to understand ecological principles1 the systems of the natural world1 and the relationships and interactions between natural and man-made environments4 7,b7 ,provides field and hands-on experiences as part of the regular school curriculum and creates programs that contribute to healthy lifestyles through outdoor recreation and sound nutrition4 7,c7 ,provides environmental service learning opportunities4 7,d7 ,provides targeted professional development opportunities for teachers that improves the teachers'-- 7i7 environmental and natural resource content knowledge2 and 7ii7 pedagogical skills in teaching about the environment1 including the use of-- 7,i7 interdisciplinary1 field-based1 and research-based learning2 and 7,,ii7 science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics content knowledge and tools4 7,e7 ,describes the measures the ,state will use to assess the environmental literacy of students1 including-- 7i7 relevant ,state academic content standards and content areas regarding environmental education1 and courses or subjects where environmental education instruction will be integrated throughout the prekindergarten through grade #ab curriculum2 and 7ii7 a description of the relationship of the plan to the secondary school graduation requirements of the ,state4 7,f7 ,describes how the ,state educational agency will implement the plan1 in partnership with non-governmental organizations1 ,federal agencies1 ,state environmental agencies1 ,state environmental education associations1 ,state natural resource agencies1 and local educational agencies1 including how the ,state educational agency will secure funding and other necessary support4 7,g7 ,is periodically updated by the ,state educational agency not less often than every #e years4 7#d7 ,high-need local educational agency ,the term high-need local educational agency means a local educational agency-- 7,a7 for which not less than #bj percent of the children served by the agency are children from low-income families2 7,b7 that serves not fewer than #aj1jjj children from low-income families2 7,c7 that meets the eligibility requirements for funding under section #fbaa7;b72 or 7,d7 that meets the eligibility requirements for funding under section #fbba7;b74 #efbb4 ,grants for ,implementation of ,environmental ,literacy ,plans 7a7 ,program authorized ,from amounts appropriated for this section1 the ,secretary shall award grants to ,states to enable the ,states to award subgrants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible partnerships to support the implementation of the ,state environmental literacy plan4 7b7 ,application 7#a7 ,in general ,a ,state that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,each application under this subsection shall-- 7,a7 include the ,state's environmental literacy plan and information on the status of implementation of such plan2 7,b7 describe how funds received under this subsection will assist the ,state in furthering the implementation of the ,state's environmental literacy plan2 7,c7 describe the process the ,state will use to make subgrants to eligible partnerships2 and 7,d7 describe the process the ,state will use to evaluate the impact of the activities assisted under this subpart4 7c7 ,peer review ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 establish a peer review process to assist in the review of grant applications under this section2 7#b7 appoint individuals to the peer review process who-- 7,a7 are representative of parents1 teachers1 ,state educational agencies1 ,state environmental agencies1 ,state natural resource agencies1 local educational agencies1 and nongovernmental organizations2 and 7,b7 are familiar with national environmental issues and the health and educational needs of students2 and 7#c7 include1 in the peer review process1 appropriate representatives from the ,department of ,commerce1 the ,department of the ,interior1 the ,department of ,energy1 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 and other appropriate ,federal agencies1 to provide environmental expertise and background for evaluation of the ,state environmental literacy plan4 7d7 ,administrative expenses ,a ,state receiving a grant under this section may use not more than #b4e percent of the grant funds for administrative expenses4 7e7 ,state ,educational ,agency ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state receiving a grant under this subpart shall prepare and submit an annual report to the ,secretary containing information about-- 7,a7 the implementation of the environmental literacy plan2 and 7,b7 the grant activities supported under this subpart4 7#b7 ,report requirements ,the report required by this section shall be-- 7,a7 in the form specified by the ,secretary2 7,b7 based on the ,state's ongoing evaluation activities2 and 7,c7 made readily available to the public4 7f7 ,subgrants authorized 7#a7 ,subgrants to eligible partnerships ,from amounts made available to a ,state educational agency under subsection 7a71 the ,state educational agency shall award subgrants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible partnerships serving the ,state1 to enable the eligible partnerships to carry out the authorized activities described in subsection 7h74 7#b7 ,duration ,the ,state educational agency shall award each subgrant under this section for a period of not more than #c years4 7#c7 ,priority ,in making subgrants under this section1 a ,state shall give priority to eligible partnerships that include a high-need local educational agency4 7#d7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,funds provided to an eligible partnership under this section shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 funds that would otherwise be used for activities authorized under this section4 7g7 ,application requirements 7#a7 ,in general ,each eligible partnership desiring a subgrant under this section shall submit an application to the ,state educational agency1 at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,state educational agency may require4 7#b7 ,contents ,each application submitted under paragraph 7#a7 shall include-- 7,a7 a description of teacher professional development needs1 with respect to the teaching and learning of environmental content2 7,b7 an explanation of how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership are expected to improve student academic achievement and strengthen the quality of environmental instruction2 7,c7 a description of how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership-- 7i7 will be aligned with challenging ,state academic content standards and student academic achievement standards in environmental education1 to the extent such standards exist1 and with the ,state's environmental literacy plan2 and 7ii7 will advance the teaching of interdisciplinary courses that integrate the study of natural1 social1 and economic systems and that include strong field components in which students have the opportunity to directly experience nature through outdoor environmental learning2 7,d7 a description of how the activities to be carried out by the eligible partnership will ensure that teachers are trained in the use of field-based or service learning to enable the teachers-- 7i7 to use the local environment and community as a resource2 and 7ii7 to improve student understanding of the environment and increase academic achievement2 7,e7 a description of-- 7i7 how the eligible partnership will carry out the authorized activities described in subsection 7h72 and 7ii7 the eligible partnership's evaluation and accountability plan described in subsection 7i72 and 7,f7 a description of how the eligible partnership will continue the activities funded under this section after the grant period has expired4 7h7 ,authorized activities ,an eligible partnership shall use the subgrant funds provided under this section for #a or more of the following activities related to elementary schools or secondary schools3 7#a7 ,providing targeted1 job-embedded professional development opportunities for teachers that improve the environmental content knowledge and pedagogical skills in teaching about the environment of such teachers1 including in the use of-- 7,a7 interdisciplinary1 research-based1 and field-based learning2 and 7,b7 technology in the classroom4 7#b7 ,establishing and operating environmental education summer workshops or institutes1 including follow-up professional development1 for elementary and secondary school teachers1 and preschool teachers1 as appropriate1 to improve pedagogical skills and content knowledge for the teaching of environmental education4 7#c7 ,developing or redesigning more rigorous environmental education curricula that-- 7,a7 are aligned with challenging ,state academic content standards in environmental education1 to the extent such standards exist1 and with the ,state environmental literacy plan2 and 7,b7 advance the teaching of interdisciplinary courses that integrate the study of natural1 social1 and economic systems and that include strong field components4 7#d7 ,designing programs to prepare teachers at a school to provide mentoring and professional development to other teachers at such school to improve teacher environmental education content knowledge and pedagogical skills4 7#e7 ,establishing and operating programs to bring teachers and students into contact with working professionals in environmental fields to deepen such teachers' knowledge of environmental content and research practices4 7#f7 ,creating initiatives that seek to incorporate environmental education within teacher training programs or accreditation standards consistent with the ,state environmental literacy plan4 7#g7 ,promoting the integration of outdoor environmental education lessons into the regular school curriculum and schedule in order to further the knowledge and professional development of teachers and help students directly experience nature4 7i7 ,evaluation and accountability plan 7#a7 ,in general ,each eligible partnership receiving a subgrant under this section shall develop an evaluation and accountability plan for activities assisted under this section that includes rigorous objectives that measure the impact of such activities4 7#b7 ,contents ,the plan developed under paragraph 7#a7 shall include measurable objectives to increase the number of teachers who participate in environmental education content-based professional development activities4 7j7 ,report by eligible partnerships ,each eligible partnership receiving a subgrant under this section shall report annually1 for each year of the subgrant1 to the ,state educational agency regarding the eligible partnership's progress in meeting the objectives described in the accountability plan of the eligible partnership under subsection 7i74 #efbc4 ,environmental education grant program to help build national capacity 7a7 ,purposes ,the purposes of this section are-- 7#a7 to strengthen environmental education as an integral part of the elementary school and secondary school curriculum2 and 7#b7 to disseminate information about best practices and resources available to support environmental literacy programs4 7b7 ,grant program authorized 7#a7 ,in ,general ,the ,secretary is authorized to award grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible partnerships to enable the eligible partnerships to pay the ,federal share of the costs of activities under this section4 7#b7 ,duration ,each grant under this section shall be for a period of not less than #a year and not more than #c years4 7#c7 ,priority ,in making grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to eligible partnerships that include a high-need local educational agency4 7c7 ,applications ,each eligible partnership desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the ,secretary an application that contains-- 7#a7 a plan to initiate1 expand1 or improve environmental education programs in order to make progress toward meeting-- 7,a7 challenging ,state academic content standards and student academic achievement standards in environmental education1 to the extent such standards exist2 and 7,b7 academic standards that are aligned with the ,state's environmental literacy plan2 and 7#b7 an evaluation and accountability plan for activities assisted under this section that includes rigorous objectives that measure the impact of activities funded under this section4 7d7 ,use of funds ,grant funds made available under this section shall be used for #a or more of the following3 7#a7 ,developing and implementing ,state curriculum frameworks for environmental education that meet-- 7,a7 challenging ,state academic content standards and student academic achievement standards for environmental education1 to the extent such standards exist2 and 7,b7 academic standards that are aligned with the ,state's environmental literacy plan under section #efbb4 7#b7 ,replicating or disseminating information about proven and tested model environmental education programs that-- 7,a7 use the environment as an integrating theme or content throughout the curriculum2 or 7,b7 provide integrated1 interdisciplinary instruction about natural1 social1 and economic systems along with field experience that provides students with opportunities to directly experience nature in ways designed to improve students' overall academic performance1 personal health 7including addressing child obesity issues71 and understanding of nature4 7#c7 ,developing and implementing new approaches to advancing environmental education1 and to advancing the adoption and use of environmental education content standards1 at the ,state and local levels4 7e7 ,eligible partnership report ,in order to continue receiving grant funds under this section after the first year of a multiyear grant under this section1 the eligible partnership shall submit to the ,secretary an annual report that-- 7#a7 describes the activities assisted under this section that were conducted during the preceding year2 7#b7 demonstrates that progress has been made in helping schools to meet the ,state academic standards for environmental education described in subsection 7d77#c72 and 7#c7 describes the results of the eligible partnership's evaluation and accountability plan4 7f7 ,administrative provisions 7#a7 ,federal share ,the ,federal share of a grant under this section shall not exceed-- 7,a7 #ij percent of the total costs of the activities assisted under the grant for the first year for which the program receives assistance under this section2 and 7,b7 #ge percent of such costs for each of the second and third years4 7#b7 ,administrative expenses ,not more than #g4e percent of the grant funds made available to an eligible partnership under this section for any fiscal year may be used for administrative expenses4 7#c7 ,availability of funds ,amounts made available to the ,secretary to carry out this section shall remain available until expended4 7g7 ,supplement1 not supplant ,funds made available under this section shall be used to supplement1 and not supplant1 any other ,federal1 ,state1 or local funds available for environmental education activities4 #efbd4 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,no ,child ,left ,inside ,act of #bjac and every #b years thereafter1 the ,secretary shall submit a report to ,congress that-- 7#a7 describes the programs assisted under this subpart2 7#b7 documents the success of such programs in improving national and ,state environmental education capacity2 and 7#c7 makes such recommendations as the ,secretary determines appropriate for the continuation and improvement of the programs assisted under this subpart4 4 ,,ii ,promoting environmental literacy in education programs #bja4 ,amendments to title ,,ii1 part ,b 7#a7 ,section #bbja7;b77#a77;,b7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fffa7;b77#a77;,b77 is amended-- 7,a7 in clause 7iii7 by striking or2 7,b7 in clause 7iv7 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 or2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following3 7v7 a ,federal1 ,state1 regional1 or local science1 environmental1 or natural resource management agency or a nonprofit environmental education organization that has demonstrated effectiveness in improving the quality of mathematics and science instruction4 4 7#b7 ,section #bbjb 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fffb7 is amended-- 7,a7 in subsection 7b77#b77;,b71 by inserting 1 including any ,state environmental literacy plan described in section #efba1 after reform activities2 and 7,b7 in subsection 7c71 by adding at the end the following3 7#aa7 ,professional development in the use of field-based or service learning to enable teachers-- 7,a7 to use the local environment and community as a resource2 and 7,b7 to enhance student understanding of mathematics and science through environmental education4 4 #bjb4 ,amendments to title ,,iv1 part ,b 7#a7 ,section #dbja7;b77#a77;,a7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gaga7;b77#a77;,a77 is amended by inserting environmental literacy1 after technology4 7#b7 ,section #dbje7;a7 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #gage7;a77 is amended-- 7,a7 by inserting the following after paragraph 7#c73 7#d7 environmental literacy activities2 2 and 7,b7 by redesignating paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#ab7 as paragraphs 7#e7 through 7#ac71 respectively4 ,,iii ,national ,activities #cja4 ,availability of other environmental literacy information 7a7 ,nondepartmental environmental literacy assistance programs ,the ,secretary of ,education shall request that all ,federal departments and agencies provide information on any environmental literacy assistance program operated1 sponsored1 or supported by such ,federal department or agency1 including information about the application procedures1 financial terms and conditions1 and other relevant information for each program1 and each ,federal department or agency shall promptly respond to surveys or other requests from the ,secretary of ,education for the information described in this subsection4 7b7 ,public ,information ,the ,secretary of ,education shall ensure that not later than #ij days after the ,secretary of ,education receives the information required under subsection 7a71 the eligibility requirements1 application procedures1 financial terms and conditions1 and other relevant information for each nondepartmental environmental literacy assistance program are searchable and accessible through the ,department of ,education's website and cross-referenced with the ,united ,states ,green ,ribbon ,school application information1 in a manner that is simple and understandable for school districts and communities4 #cjb4 ,federal interagency coordination on environmental literacy 7a7 ,in ,general ,the ,secretary of ,education shall coordinate environmental literacy activities between the ,department of ,education1 the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,department of the ,interior1 and the ,department of ,commerce1 including by carrying out the activities described in subsection 7b74 7b7 ,coordination activities ,in coordinating environmental literacy activities1 the ,secretary of ,education shall-- 7#a7 assess current ,federal environmental education programs1 goals1 and budget items across agencies2 7#b7 assess environment-based science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics 7referred to as e,s,t,e,m7 achievement to demonstrate that learning about and in the environment is an effective strategy for increasing engagement in learning and academic achievement in science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics 7referred to as ,,stem7 subject areas2 and 7#c7 produce adaptable environmental literacy plan guidelines and identify coordinated resources across ,federal agencies that ,states and local educational agencies can follow as ,states and local educational agencies work to develop environmental literacy plans and programs of their own4 7c7 ,advisory ,panel ,the ,secretary of ,education shall appoint an advisory panel of stakeholders1 including representatives from ,state educational agencies1 local educational agencies1 businesses1 and nonprofit organizations that are engaged in local environmental literacy efforts representing the geographic1 economic1 and cultural diversity of the country1 who shall meet quarterly to advise and support interagency planning and assessment regarding environmental literacy activities4 7d7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 and annually thereafter1 the ,secretary of ,education1 the ,administrator of the ,environmental ,protection ,agency1 the ,secretary of the ,interior1 and the ,secretary of ,commerce shall prepare and submit a joint report to ,congress containing information about the coordination of environmental literacy activities between ,federal agencies4